Refrigerating apparatus



Oct. 14, 1930. H. B. HULL REFRIGERATING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 15, 1926 an under Patented oa.1 4,193o

UNI-TED STATES PATENT OFFICE l .HARRY B. HULL, OF DA'YTON, OHIO, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO FRIGIZD- AIRE CORPORATION, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE I REFRIGEBATING APPARATUS Application filed December 13, 1926. Serial No. 154,329.

This invention relates to refrigerating systems and apparatus.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide improved refrigerating apparatus suitable for small plants such as household or store cabinets.

Another object is to provide a refrigerating system in which a plurality of refrigerating devices are arrangedto operate alternately.

Another object is to provide apparatus in which the refrigerating phase of .the cycle is materially prolonged without a proportionate increase in operating expense.

Another object is to utilize the waste heat of a compression system to produce refrigeration.

Another object is to combine a compression and an absorption system.

Still other ob'ects will appear in the following description and claims.

The attached drawings show one form which the invention may take.

In the drawings:

Fig. l is a diagrammatic elevation of apparatus embodying the invention, and

Fig. 2 is a section on the line 22 of Fig. 1.

Refrigerating devices heretofore applied to cooling cabinets have been either of the compression or absorption type. Each type has its own inherent advantages and disadvantages when applied toparticular situations.

The absorption systems usually constructed for service of this character refrigerate intermittently, and a considerable interval necessarily occurs between refrigerating phases of its cycle during which heat must be applied to the system. Hence such a stem is not adapted to service requiring re igerating continuously or even the greater portion of the cycle. w

Compression systems are adapted to furnish either continuous or intermittent refrigeration. However, while they are refrigerating, certain portions of the system must be cooled and the heat taken therefrom must be dissipated outside the system. This heat is lost energy. M

My invention contemplates the combining 59- of two refrigeration systems, one of which .desired through an additional coil 15, in one or bothof which the refrigerant is condensed to liquid form, after which it flows through an expansion valve 16 to an evaporatorlfi.

- The evaporation of the refrigerant cools the cabinet in the well known manner, the refrigerant being withdrawn by the compressor through suction pipe 17, compressed again, and circulated through the system.

Hot gaseous refrigerant coming from the compressormust be cooled in order to condense. Heretofore this has been accomplished by circulating air or water over the condenser and dissipating outside the cabinet the heat thus absorbed. This heat is wasted energy. I provide means for converting at least a part of this heat into useful work in the form of refrigeration. Around the condenser 14, I construct a generator-absorber 20, which is filled with any suitable absorbent material 21, preferably a .dry solid absorbent, an example of which is calcium chloride. A conduit 22 leads from the generator-absorber to a condenser 23 from the other end of which a conduit 24 leads to an evaporator 25 which may be placed wherever cooling is desired, preferably in the cooling compartment 10. The generator absorber, condenser 23 and V evaporator 25 constitute an absorption system which may contain any suitable refrigerant, such as anhydrous ammonia.

Preferably the coils 15 and 23 are mounted near the motor and a fan 30 is mounted on the motor shaft for cooling them.

The generator-absorber ma be allowed to cool naturally, or if desire any suitable means may be provided for cooling it when the compressor is not operating, such as cirfrigerating demands of the compartment.

When the switch is in the full line position shown, it closes a circuit to actuate motor 13 to drive the compressor. When the switch is in dotted line position, the circuit of motor 13 isopen, but the circuit to motor 32 or other cooling apparatus is closed. I Operation Assuming the compartment 10 is warm, the

ammonia in the absorption system is held in the absorbent 21, and liquid sulfur dioxide is in ,the evaporator 16. Switch 34 is in full line position and motor 13 is operating the compressor. The compressor reduces the pressure inthe evaporator permitting the sulfur diom'de to evaporate and absorb heat from the compartment. Hot compressed gaseous sulfur dioxide asses into the coil 14 heating the generator-a sorber and cooling the sulfur dioxide. The latterpasses into the coil 15 where it is further cooled by the fan 30. When the sulfur dioxide leaves the coil 15 it is liquid, and flows into evaporator 16, where it is again evaporated to absorb heat as before.

The hot sulfur dioxide gas heats the absorbent 14 to drive off ammonia. The latter passes into coil 23 where it is cooled by fan 30 and condensed, flowing into evaporator 25.

The compressor continues operating until the temperature of the compartment reaches a predetermined low point, when the thermostat 33 moves the switch 34 to dotted line position. The compressor and fan 30 now stop, and motor 32 and fan 31 operate to cool the generator-absorber. Cooling of the latter causes the absorbent to takeup ammonia, in-

ducing evaporation in the evaporator 25 which further cools the compartment 10.

After the absorbent has taken up all the am-' monia it'can, refrigerationceases, and the compartment 10 will begin to 'get warm. When a predetermined hightemperature has been reached, the thermostat 33 will again move the switch 34 to'start the motor 13. The

I cycle will thus repeat itself indefinitely.

It will be seen that the absorption system refrigerates during the intervals between the refrigerating phases of the cycle of the com- .pression system. This prolongs the refrigerating period at a slight operating cost, since the motor 32 or other cooling control requires but igttle power in comparison with the motor While the-form of embodiment of the present invention as herein disclosed, constitutes a referred form, it is to be understood that ot er forms might be adopted, all coming cluding a device to be cooled, and an absorption refrigerating system including a. genera tor, the generator being arranged to absorb heat from said device.

2. In refrigeratingapparatus, in combina tion, a compression refrigeration system including a condenser and an absorption refrigerating system including a generator, the generator and condenser being in heat exchange relation.

- 3. In refrigerating apparatus, in combination, acompressor adapted to be operated intermittently, a condenser, an absorbergenerator for cooling the condenser, and means for cooling the absorber-generator when the compressor is not operating.

4. In refrigerating apparatus, in combination, a compressor, a condenser, an absorbergenerator for cooling the condenser, means for cooling the absorber-generator and control means operated automatically in response to the refrigerating demand of the system, said control means being adapted when in one position to permit operation of the compressor alone, and in another position to permit the operation of the means for cooling the absorber-generator alone. 5. Refrigerating apparatus comprising in combination a compartment to be cooled, a pair of refrigerating devices for cooling the compartment, control means moved to either of two positions in response to the refrigerating demand of the compartment, the control means being arranged to effect operation of one refrigerating device when in one position and the other refrigerating device when in the other position.

6. In a refrigerating apparatus, in combi nation, a compression refrigerating system including a device to be cooled, and an abso tion refrigerating system arranged to itstract heat from thedevice. I

7. Ina refrigerating apparatus, in combination, a compression refrigerating system including a condenser to be cooled, and an absorption refrigerating system arranged to abstract heat from the condenser.

8. In refrigerating appartus, in combination, a compression refrigerating system in cluding a device to be cooled, and an absorption refrigerating system including a device to be heated, said devices beingarranged in heat exchange relation.

In testimony whereof I hereto aflix my signature.

. HARRY HULL. 

